Cortez Bank Marine ForecastSan Diego Offshore
Updated Fri Sep 11, 2026
Rough seas and cross-swell make this a no-go weekend
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Marine Forecast for Cortez Bank Sep 11–13, 2026
📋 Rough seas and cross-swell make this a no-go weekend
NO-GO Friday: a confused cross-sea (SW swell crossing NW wind-wave) persists most of the day despite manageable 15-19 knots northwest winds. Waves build to 6.3 feet at 8-second periods, with the worst chop between 5:00 AM and 9:00 AM. Not recommended for recreational vessels.
NO-GO Saturday: steep wind-wave chop and a confused cross-sea (SW swell crossing NW wind-wave) develop as winds build to 21 knots gusting 29 knots from the northwest. Waves climb from 6 feet to nearly 7.8 feet at 7-second periods. Wave conditions are bad nearly the entire day - avoid boating.
NO-GO Sunday: dangerous conditions all day with 20-23 knots northwest winds gusting to 32 knots and waves building to 9.2 feet at 7-second periods. Wave conditions are bad around the clock with no safe window. Stay off the water.
This entire three-day period is a NO-GO for recreational boating due to building northwest winds, steep wave heights, and confused sea states caused by crossing swell and wind-wave trains. Conditions deteriorate from already-marginal on Friday to dangerous by Sunday, with waves climbing from around 6 feet to over 9 feet and winds gusting past 30 knots. Mariners should stay in port through the weekend and reassess once winds ease and seas organize.
Recent days at Cortez Bank
Today’s Water at Cortez Bank
Sea surface temperature and chlorophyll around Cortez Bank, imaged fresh every morning. Water at the star is 72.7°F today, and chlorophyll of 0.14 mg/m³ reads as blue-green transition water at the spot.
Imagery: Sep 10, 2026 · rebuilt every morning
These charts show you the breaks. DeepCast reads them. A zone-by-zone AI fishing report for these exact waters — temperature edges, color changes, and structure, analyzed together — for $4.99.
Get the AI fishing reportSST and chlorophyll from the SeaLegs AI DeepCast satellite pipeline. Charts are a planning aid — always check the official marine forecast before making the run.
About Cortez Bank
Cortez Bank is the serious end of San Diego offshore water — a remote, shallow seamount about 100 miles off San Diego, known for world-class fishing and the giant open-ocean swell that breaks at Bishop Rock. It is fully exposed: no island lee, no shelter, and swell that arrives with its full Pacific fetch intact. A careful read of swell height and period is essential before committing to the crossing.
The outlook below updates every morning from the latest marine model data, with a plain GO / CAUTION / NO-GO call for each day — the same AI rating used in the SeaLegs AI app.
Reading conditions at Cortez Bank
Long-period Pacific swell is the defining variable out here. The same 5-foot reading can be a well-organized 13-second swell that a sportfisher rides comfortably — or a shorter, wind-driven sea that makes the whole crossing a grind. Read the period next to the height on every day card above, and watch for the afternoon westerly reinforcement that often stiffens the ride home.
Because the bank is shallow water standing in deep ocean, swell energy focuses over it — conditions on the bank itself can be rougher than the open-water forecast either side of it. Build margin into the plan: the best Cortez days in the outlook are the ones where wind stays light through the full window, not just the morning.
Cortez Bank forecast FAQ
How is the sea at Cortez Bank today?
As of Sep 11, 2026, the SeaLegs AI verdict for Cortez Bank is NO-GO. Friday is a NO-GO day due to a confused cross-sea persisting for 21 hours, where a SW swell crosses a NW wind-wave, creating awkward, uncomfortable motion with no single comfortable heading. Winds run 15-19 knots from the northwest with gusts to 25 knots, and waves build to 6.3 feet at 8-second periods from the west, with the worst wave conditions hitting bad status between 5:00 AM and 9:00 AM. Even though wind speeds stay mostly in the good range, the persistent cross-sea makes this an unsafe day for recreational boating.
How far is Cortez Bank from San Diego?
Cortez Bank lies about 100 miles off San Diego — a genuine open-ocean crossing with no shelter along the way, which is why the multi-day outlook matters more here than for nearshore trips.
How often is this San Diego offshore forecast updated?
The forecast on this page is rebuilt every morning from the latest marine model data, and the SpotCast card refreshes live in your browser. The date stamp above the outlook shows when it was last generated.
What do GO, CAUTION, and NO-GO mean?
GO means conditions are favorable for most recreational offshore boats. CAUTION means marginal — pay close attention to swell period and the evening wind trend before committing to the crossing. NO-GO means conditions are hazardous for small craft and the trip is best postponed.
Can I get a forecast like this for my own spot?
Yes. In the free SeaLegs AI app you can drop a pin anywhere — the 9-Mile Bank, the Coronados, or your own waypoint — and get the same AI-rated marine forecast, plus fishing reports and trip planning.
What is the water temperature at Cortez Bank today?
As of Sep 10, 2026, the satellite-derived sea surface temperature at Cortez Bank is about 72.7°F, with chlorophyll around 0.14 mg/m³ (blue-green transition water). The SST and chlorophyll charts on this page are rebuilt every morning from the SeaLegs AI DeepCast satellite pipeline.
More offshore forecasts
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